Operating method for a wireless recreation system

ABSTRACT

An operating method for a wireless recreation system is described. A recreation user can log on to a recreation network server located in a wireless network environment using a portable wireless apparatus. Afterward, the user can download audio or video data from the mentioned server, or send an instant message thereby, or play an online game anywhere. Following steps illustrates the operating method after switching the portable wireless recreation device on. First, a wireless module built into the wireless recreation device is activated. After searching for a nearby wireless station, a set network address is allocated. When a link between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server is established, the user can select recreation content from a recreation menu. Lastly, the user starts performing the recreation content after downloading the required objects from the server.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an operating method for a wirelessrecreation system and, more particularly, to a portable wireless deviceused by a user to link a wireless recreation platform to a globalwireless network environment.

2. Description of Related Art

When a wireless receive/transmit module is incorporated into a wirelessdevice, such as a notebook having a wireless network card, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone or another mobile mediadevice, the wireless device can perform wireless transmission or otherrelated services within the range of a wireless station. Nevertheless,even though wireless devices are widely used, there are still manyplaces the WLAN cannot reach since the “hot spots” are not widelydispersed.

Furthermore, if a user desires to surf the Internet, download sharedmedia content, send an instant message, or play an on-line game forexample, a desktop computer or notebook is required for thoseapplications. A conventional portable wireless device, such as a PDA ora cellular phone, can be used to link to the Internet if a user needs touse the recreation service in a location with a WLAN signal, but it isstill inconvenient if there is no wireless signal somehow or not enoughhot spots that allow wireless connectivity.

In the prior art, if a user wants to play a game using their mobilephone, first of all, the game has to be downloaded into the device'smemory through GPRS service or the like. The game can be played when thedata thereof is completely loaded. Besides the standalone game in themobile device, some parts of the game need to exchange some informationwith the game server to allow interaction with other users. Moreover,network connection fees and bandwidth are two major drawbacks of theconventional using method, and problems associated with transferringbetween wireless stations is still an issue for on-line game playing orinstant messaging.

U.S. Publication No. 2002/0174248 provides a solution for occupiedbandwidth for sending an instant message and the data packets foron-line games. A broadcast channel for a communication channel of theprior art is used for data transmission between end users and the serverduring instant messaging. The broadcast channel is only occupied whennetwork services are processing, but otherwise it will be unoccupied.

Referring to U.S. Publication No. 2004/0192366, in a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), wireless devices can transmit messages to each otherwhen they are connected, but the devices are not connected to theInternet or other public network. Reference is made to FIG. 1 showing aplurality of mobile devices 10, 11, 12, 13, such as mobile phones orPDAs. Each mobile device is equipped with wireless connection softwarewhereby a network address is allotted by the WLAN. A wirelessreceive/transmit (R/T) component therein is used to search for aconnection or connect with other devices nearby. For example, a firstmobile device 10 establishes a real-time game, and other mobile devices11, 12, 13 in the same WLAN can connect with the mobile device 10 usingthe wireless connection software and join the established game.

FIG. 2 shows the schematic diagram of U.S. Publication No. 2004/0162142.Wherein a communication device 20, such as a mobile phone, a PDA or anotebook, enters a game system using its own communication component.The CPU 203 couples an I/O device 201, such as a monitor, a keyboard ora mouse, with the connection software 204 installed in the device 20,and memory 202 used for storage. The connection software 204 connectswith a remote game server 21, which provides the game's downloadingservice where the users can link to and download the game via thecommunication device 20. The game server 21 includes a database 213 forstoring data, a verification unit 211 for verifying a user, a memory 214for the use of the CPU 212, and connection software 215 installed by thegame players. The game server 21 further connects with a bank server 22for charging the user's account for their usage of the system.

In view of the prior art shown in FIG. 1, the prior art is inadequate asthe WLAN and the games or other resources built into the mobile deviceare limited; either a global wireless network area or widespread hotspots are necessary to provide a connection to a recreation server. Thegame server mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 2 only provides one-waygame downloading services, and the server doesn't provide an interactivegame service for multiple users.

The present invention relates to an operating method for a wirelessrecreation system, wherein the WiMAX (IEEE802.16), that has a coveringrange of several kilometers, can be a fundamental protocol. Using aWiMAX, mobile devices can link to a game server having a variety ofapplications, such as interactive games, instant messaging and sharingresources, through that global connection.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The operating method for a wireless recreation system is described. Auser uses a portable wireless device having a wireless R/T module. Afterregistering with a wireless recreation server, the user can proceed todownload recreational content, such as media data, instant messages oron-line games through network from any location.

The method for a wireless recreation system is operated within awireless network environment, wherein a portable wireless recreationdevice with an incorporated wireless R/T (Receive and Transmit) moduleis used to process a plurality of recreation options downloaded from arecreation server, the following steps are explained below. Firstly, awireless recreation device is switched on, then a wireless station, inwhich a wireless R/T module is installed in the wireless creation deviceestablishes a link after a nearby wireless station is contacted. Afterthat, a network session between the wireless recreation device and therecreation server is established, and secure verification is made therebetween. From the recreation server, a recreation menu is obtained andone of the recreation options therein is selected in the next step.Next, a plurality of objects of the selected recreation content aredownloaded, and starting to process the recreation content.

Within the recreation system, the operating environment of the wirelessrecreation system is a global wireless network area, and linkingsoftware is installed in the wireless recreation device. Furthermore,the wireless recreation device will be allotted a network address or ahostname by an automatic address allotment mechanism of the wirelessstation. The link established from the wireless recreation device to theserver is a three-way handshake, and some form of security verification,like a username and a password, is required. After that, a securechannel therebetween is ready. The recreation menu is provided by therecreation server or defined by the user themselves. Finally, therequired objects or files can be downloaded to the wireless recreationdevice for later use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows an application of the wireless communication of the priorart;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the association between a recreationdevice and the recreation server according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To allow the Examiner to understand the technology, means and functionsadopted in the present invention, reference is made to the followingdetailed description and attached drawings. The Examiner shall readilyunderstand the invention deeply and concretely from the purpose,characteristics and specification of the present invention.Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to the attacheddrawings and embodiments in the following description.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the wireless recreation system ofthe preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plurality ofportable wireless recreation devices 31 are wirelessly connected withthe wireless stations 301, 302 and 303, by which the device 31 canconnect to at least one recreation server 38 or 39. In this preferredembodiment, a variety of media content and interactive games areprovided by the first recreation server 38 having a first storage 381,meanwhile, the second recreation server 39 with a second storage 391also provides miscellaneous media and recreation content in the form ofa database. The portable wireless recreation device 31 connecting withthe widespread wireless network can download the recreation contentlisted in a recreation menu, and send the request to the recreationserver 38 or 39.

The aforementioned portable wireless recreation device 31 is disposed inthe wireless R/T module with various wireless communication protocols.When the nearby wireless station is contacted, the device 31 caninteract with other devices of the like, and exchange messages, sharefiles, or play games together and so on. For example, a user using thewireless recreation device 31 can create a battlefield of a game, andother players can join this battlefield with their own equipment.

The conventional methods for wireless communication, such as GPRS, WiFi,or WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microware Access) can achieveglobal connectivity, an increase in the transmission rate and a loweringof the associated costs.

The first embodiment of the recreation system of the present inventionis illustrated in FIG. 4A. The Internet service providers ISP1 and ISP2provide the wireless connection between the Internet 44 and the endusers. The portable wireless devices 411, 412 and 413 connect with theInternet 44 and further with a recreation server 41 through the ISP 401or ISP 402 shown in the diagram. The database 45 of the recreationserver 41 contains a variety of media content or games items, where theitems are provided for the users to choose from. The database 45 furtherincludes verification data for each user comprising of a user's account,password, identification data, bill data, etc. The portable wirelessdevices 411, 412 and 413 include at least the connection software andthe recreation content menu, from which the users can easily choose anddownload data from. Furthermore, the portable wireless devices 411, 412and 413 can make a peer-to-peer connection with other portable devices,or establish a server-client connection.

Moreover, for protecting the copyright of the on-line media content, thefirst embodiment of the present invention introduces on-line videowatching and audio listening modes instead of actually downloading thecontent, namely, the user can watch or listen to the A/V content in realtime by extracting the content in a continuous stream.

The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4B. Adatabase 46 connected with the recreation server 41 doesn't provide themedia or games content, rather it stores users' information. Therecreation content is provided by an authorized third-party like theinformation service providers 421 or 422 shown in diagram. For example,the information service providers 421 or 422 can be video downloadingproviders, music companies or other legal data or game downloadingproviders. The recreation server 41 of the present invention is aplatform that integrates various services with other service providers,wherein a customized menu accompanying the downloading path and legalsoftware is provided. The user can extract and enjoy the A/V content orgames easily anytime and anywhere.

The portable wireless devices 411, 412 and 413 mentioned abovewirelessly connect to the Internet 44 through the ISPs 401 or 402, andlater connects to the recreation server 41 located on the Internet 44.The database 46 of the recreation server 41 of this embodiment containsthe connection account, password, ID verification and billinginformation of its users. Moreover, the recreation content provided bythe information service providers 421 and 422 needs to be authorized bythe operatively coupled recreation server 41. Namely, the recreationserver 41 of the embodiment of the present invention can be a gateway,which provides optimized and legal downloading services for wirelessdevices.

The preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 shows the operatingmethod for the connection between the wireless recreation devices andthe server. The wireless network of the present invention is availableworldwide, such as WiMAX protocol. To begin, the user turns the wirelessrecreation device on (step S501). The built-in wireless receive/transmitunit and the connection software are used to search for a strong signalfrom a wireless station in step S503. When the searching is successful,the wireless recreation device can be allotted an IP address from thewireless station automatically (step S505). Through the connection withthe wireless station, the wireless recreation device can communicatewith the recreation server of the Internet, wherein the recreationserver is connected in a wired or wirelessly manner with the wirelessstation (step S507).

A session established between the wireless recreation device and therecreation server can use HTTP protocol. Before the session isestablished, the portable wireless recreation device performs ahandshake process, such as a three-way handshake, with the recreationserver. In which, the wireless recreation device sends a request signalto the server. Then the recreation server sends a confirmation signaland requisite information to the device after the server receives therequest signal. Finally the session is established after confirming theconnection. Afterwards, the wireless recreation device is successfullyassociated with the recreation server and can perform furthertransactions.

A secure verification is necessary for a transaction to begin betweenthe wireless recreation device and the recreation server, including theverification of the connection account and its password, or evenbiological authentication, such as fingerprint and iris scans, etc.Moreover, a secure channel between the wireless recreation device andthe server can also operate with another secure connecting method forexchanging information therebetween (step S509).

After verification, the wireless recreation device can download therecreation content menu manually or automatically. The menu is providedby the recreation server, or can be a customized one defined by theusers (step S511).

The recreation content in the menu, that the users can select from, canbe comprised of a variety of media content, such as movies or music,electronic books, standalone games or interactive games, news, dailyinformation, etc., and is not limited as per this description (stepS513).

After that, the wireless recreation device downloads the requiredobjects or files from the recreation server. For example, wherein therequired objects are needed by some specific games for initialization(step 515). In the last step S517, the user can process the recreationcontent after downloading.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, which is the flowchart for the firstembodiment of the present invention. To begin, a wireless recreationdevice is switched on (step S601). Then a wireless module therein isstarted (step S603). The wireless device starts to search for a nearbywireless station or one that has the best transmission bandwidth (stepS605). After connecting with the wireless station, a network address isobtained whereby (step S607). For example, an IP address is required forTCP/IP protocol.

Next, a link is established between the recreation server and thewireless recreation device, and after a security verification has beenperformed, a secure connection for information exchanging between thedevice and the server is guaranteed (step S609).

The recreation options in the menu, such as games, movies, music, news,etc., downloaded from the recreation server are selected in step S611.Selecting an A/V downloading mode is an example thereof; the music albumor video can be searched for by title, or selected via categories, suchas movie/Taiwan movie/90′ movie/, etc. (step S613).

In the method for menu selecting, the recreation options of the menu canbe provided by the recreation server, or defined by the user (stepS615). Next, the A/V item is selected (step S617). After that, if theA/V items can be downloaded from a plurality of information serviceproviders, users can choose the source by themselves, or they can choosethe source server suggested by the recreation server (step S621), andproceed to download (step S623).

In the method for searching for the A/V content, the wireless recreationdevice searches for the content using various keywords, such as videotitle, the director's name, the cast of actors, etc. (step S619). Afterthat, if the A/V items are provided for downloading by a plurality ofinformation service providers, the user can choose which one to downloadfrom, or follow the suggestion of downloading source from the recreationserver (step S621), and proceed to downloading (step S623).

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the second embodiment of the presentinvention. In first step S701, a recreation device is switched on. Thena wireless module is started selectively or automatically (step S703).The wireless device starts to search for a nearby wireless station orone that has the best transmission bandwidth (step S705). A networkaddress is can then be allotted from the wireless station (step S707).For example, an IP address is required for TCP/IP protocol.

Next, a link is established between the recreation server and thewireless recreation device, and the identity of the user is verified.After that, a secure connection for information exchanging between thedevice and the server is guaranteed (step S709).

The recreation options in the menu, such as games, movies, music, news,etc., can then be downloaded from the recreation server are selected bythe user (step S711). For example, a specific game can be searched forby various keywords, such as its title, type of games, etc., or evenselected from a categorized menu.

After making a selection, users can choose a download server bythemselves or follow the suggestion from the recreation server (stepS713). The recreation download server chosen by the user can be one of aplurality of third-party providers. Otherwise, the recreation server cananalyze each downloading bandwidth or the quality of those providers, orthe database built in the recreation server can provide these serviceson it's own.

After the download server is selected, the requisite objects or filesare downloaded by the recreation device. In one embodiment, the user candownload the objects or files relating to a specific game or othermodes, such as an interactive game or standalone game (step S715). Next,the user enters a game menu belonging to the game selected by the user(step S717), and a recreation/game mode is selected for interactive orstandalone game afterwards (step S719).

Next, related objects or files are downloaded after an indicatedrecreation mode is selected. If the recreation/game mode is aninteractive game, which reacts instantly with other on-line users, thewireless recreation device will interact and exchange signals withothers, and related objects should be downloaded to initialize the game.If the recreation/game mode is a standalone game, the recreation devicecan download the related file as a continuous stream. The aforementionedobjects or files related to the indicated recreation content aredownloaded into a memory of the wireless recreation device in step S721.

For example, if the indicated game is an interactive game, the user willjoin another user's battlefield. The recreation device should respond torelevant messages from the recreation server, and vice versa (stepS723). Finally, the recreation/game content is started (step S725).

In particular, the present invention discloses an operating method for awireless recreation system, which works in a global wireless networkarea, such as WiMAX or WiFi. The user can download the audio or videodata from a recreation server through a wireless recreation device, orsend an instant message thereby, or play an online game anywhere, or thedevice can interact with other devices in this global wireless networkarea.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description above and it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all. Further, since numerous modifications and changeswill readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired tolimit the invention to the exact construction and operation asillustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A method for a wireless recreation system operated in a wirelessnetwork environment, wherein a portable wireless recreation device witha wireless R/T (Receive and Transmit) module incorporated, is used toprocess a plurality of recreation options downloaded from a recreationserver, the method comprises of the following steps: switching thewireless recreation device on; linking a wireless station, in which thewireless R/T module installed in the wireless creation deviceestablishes the link after the wireless station nearby is reached;connecting with the recreation server; establishing a network sessionbetween the wireless recreation device and the recreation server;performing a security verification between the wireless recreationdevice and the recreation server; obtaining a recreation menu, andselecting one of the recreation options; downloading a plurality objectsfrom the selected recreation content; and starting to perform therecreation content.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theoperating environment of the wireless recreation system is a globalwireless network area.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinlinking software is installed in the wireless recreation device.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless recreation device isallotted a network address or a hostname by an automatic addressallotment mechanism of the wireless station.
 5. The method as recited inclaim 1, wherein the step of connecting with the recreation server, thewireless recreation device establishes a handshake with the recreationserver, such as a three-way handshake.
 6. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the secure verification includes an authentication of anaccount and a password for the same.
 7. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the step of performing the security verification, a securechannel between the wireless recreation device and the recreation serveris established.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein therecreation menu is downloaded from the recreation server manually orautomatically by the wireless recreation device.
 9. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the recreation server connects with thewireless station by means of either a wired or a wireless method, or byanother route.
 10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein therecreation menu is provided by the recreation server.
 11. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the recreation menu is a customized menudefined by the user themselves.
 12. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the recreation content includes at least a movie, music or agame.
 13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step ofdownloading the plurality objects, the recreation content isinitialized.
 14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein therecreation content is downloaded as continuous stream.
 15. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the recreation content in the recreationserver is provided by the recreation server.
 16. The method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the recreation content in the recreation server isprovided by a plurality of third-party providers.
 17. A method for awireless recreation system operating in a wireless network environment,wherein the wireless recreation system is used to perform a plurality ofrecreation options, the method comprises steps: switching a wirelessrecreation device on; activating a wireless R/T module of the wirelessrecreation device; searching for a wireless station and obtaining a setof a network address or a hostname; establishing a link between thewireless recreation device and a recreation server; obtaining arecreation menu downloaded from the recreation server or defined by theuser; selecting one of the recreation options thereof; starting todownload a plurality of objects from the selected recreation option; andstarting to process the recreation content.
 18. The method as recited inclaim 17, wherein the wireless recreation devices can exchange messageswith each other.
 19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein therecreation option is selected by the step of searching, or from acategorized menu.
 20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein therecreation content in the recreation server is provided by a pluralityof third-party providers.
 21. The method as recited in claim 17, whereinthe wireless recreation system is operated in a global wireless networkarea.
 22. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the linkingsoftware is installed in the wireless recreation device.
 23. The methodas recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation server connects with thewireless station by means of either a wired or a wireless method, or byanother route.
 24. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein therecreation content includes at least a movie, music or a game.
 25. Themethod as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation content isdownloaded as a continuous stream.
 26. The method as recited in claim17, wherein the recreation content in the recreation server is providedby the recreation server.